Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The Colts Just Snagged Him Fourth Overall and the Whole League Should Be Watching

Alright, 12s, buckle up, because an NFL re-draft just dropped, and it's confirming what we've known all along about one of our own. We're talking about the 2023 NFL Draft, where a bunch of prospects are staring down the final year of their rookie deals in 2026. And guess what? If teams could do it all over again, our man Jaxon Smith-Njigba is flying off the board way, way earlier than he did originally. This isn't just a fun "what if" game, it's a cold, hard look at player value, and JSN is proving he’s a certified steal.

The QB Class That Left Everyone Scratching Their Heads

Let's be real, the 2023 quarterback class was a bit of a head-scratcher. It led to some positional reaches that teams would probably undo in a heartbeat given the chance. Case in point: the Panthers originally traded the farm for Bryce Young. Now, Young has improved, for sure, but he hasn't hit the same level as CJ Stroud, who’s solidified himself as the top QB from that class. In this re-draft, Stroud goes No. 1 overall to Carolina, which feels like a no-brainer. This shuffle then impacts the Houston Texans. They originally grabbed Stroud at No. 2, but in this scenario, they're scooping up Will Anderson Jr. at the second pick. And honestly, who could blame them? Anderson has been an absolute beast, racking up 30 sacks in three seasons, including a career-high 12 just this past campaign. The dude is an elite sack artist, and Houston locked him down with a massive three-year, $150 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the entire league. The Texans then make a controversial move, grabbing Bryce Young at No. 3. With their elite defense, they’re betting they'd still be competitive, even with the "improved-but-not-Stroud" Young under center. It shows how desperate teams were for a QB, even if it meant reaching.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Value Just Exploded

And here's where it gets really good for us Emerald City faithful: the Indianapolis Colts are up next at pick number four, and they're snatching our very own Jaxon Smith-Njigba! Talk about a jump! The Colts' original pick, Anthony Richardson, has battled injuries, forcing them to lean on guys like Gardner Minshew. But with JSN, they'd get a rock-solid, incredibly productive receiver. The source says it plain as day: Jaxon has stacked up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. That kind of consistent production makes him a no-brainer for a team looking for a reliable playmaker, and that's exactly what the Colts would be getting. It just goes to show you what an absolute gem we have in JSN, and how highly he's now valued across the league. So, while the NFL regular season is just getting going, and we're looking forward to seeing what our boys do on the field this year, this re-draft exercise is a massive shout-out to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's talent and impact. It’s a clear message to the rest of the league: don't sleep on our guys. We see the talent, we appreciate the grind, and we know Jaxon's just getting started. It's an exciting time to be a Seattle sports fan, and we can't wait to see what these players bring to the field.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.